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July 27, 2026Sources cited
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28 Days Later

28 Days Later is a 2002 British post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

28 Days Later is a 2002 British post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland. It stars Cillian Murphy as a bicycle courier who wakes from a coma to find Britain devastated by a highly contagious Rage virus outbreak. The film is widely credited with helping revive and reshape modern zombie horror.

Plot

The story begins after animal rights activists accidentally release infected chimpanzees carrying the Rage virus. Jim wakes in a deserted London hospital and joins other survivors as they try to navigate a country that has largely collapsed.

Production

The film was directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland. It was released in 2002 and produced in the United Kingdom.

Reception and legacy

28 Days Later was well received and became influential in horror cinema. It is frequently cited as a key film in the revival of fast, infection-based zombie narratives.

Franchise

The film launched the 28 Days Later series, which later expanded with sequels and related works based on the Rage virus premise.

Key facts

  • The film follows Jim, a bicycle courier who wakes from a coma after the outbreak has already spread.
  • Its central threat is the Rage virus, which induces violent aggression in the infected.
  • The story is set in Britain after societal collapse and follows a small group of survivors.
  • It was directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland.
  • The film is often credited with revitalizing the zombie genre.
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Canadian context

The film has been widely distributed in Canada and is part of the broader English-language horror canon commonly viewed by Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is 28 Days Later about?
It follows survivors in Britain after the accidental release of the Rage virus causes society to collapse.
Who directed 28 Days Later?
Danny Boyle directed the film.
Who wrote 28 Days Later?
Alex Garland wrote the screenplay.
Who stars in 28 Days Later?
Cillian Murphy stars as Jim, alongside Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston, Megan Burns, and Brendan Gleeson.
When was 28 Days Later released?
It was released in 2002.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/28_Days_Later
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, release year, and premise.
  2. Sony Pictures Entertainment — https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/28dayslater
    Supports: Official synopsis, premise, and main cast.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/28_days_later
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, and release information.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/28_Days_Later_(film_series)
    Supports: Franchise context and legacy.